Tates Creek Turn Around W67

Charlotte got baptized!! She's a 10-year-old girl we've been teaching for a little while. Her dad baptized her. He was baptized about 2 months ago and now got to baptize his daughter. It was so special. I got to give the baptismal talk! I will always remember the feeling I got when I was looking at her in the font. Happiest feeling! 

Ethan and Stephanie bore their testimonies in sacrament meeting. The non-members were carrying, I guess! Nothing better than hearing your friends bear their testimonies. Ethan told everyone he was getting baptized on the 19th!! He also came to Charlotte's baptism, as well as Sifae and her whole family came to Charlotte's baptism because....

Sifae, Gloria, and Adidjah are on date to be baptized for December 10th!!! We had the most incredible lesson with them and when we invited them to be baptized, they didn't hesitate to say yes! This family has been being prepared for the gospel and are so solid. We brought a member and as soon as we came out, she said, "you don't find a family like that very often." I'm so grateful God has led us to all these friends. 

We had a lesson with Ethan on Thursday at a member's home again. We taught the plan of salvation! He loved it and was so invested he said, "I'm not just getting baptized because I want to go to the temple but also because I want to come closer to God. I feel like baptism will set me on that straight path." The whole room filled with the spirit, and everyone was so full of joy! We told him we had to move his date up a day for scheduling purposes and he said, "Great! Even sooner!!" His dad remembered lots of the plan of salvation, and it was fun to see him participate as well as the member family. I wish y'all could've been flies on the wall there. 

I don't know if y'all remember but I was devastated to come to this area. I loved my last area and my comp was my bestie! Well the first transfer I was here it was a GRIND!! When I came in we were teaching nobody but luckily my comp wanted to work hard so that's what we did! 

Anyways, the reason I tell you that is because this week has been a good reflecting week and a pat on the back all glory to God typa week. We were asked to share our experience working with members and the success we've seen at our mission leadership council. It went so well that our President asked us to film ourselves and he's gonna show everyone at zone conferences this week. So, catch me on the big screen. 

It really has been fun to see this area transform. Now we have a set ward mission plan, ward coordination meetings every week, inside jokes with most the members, members are starting to trust us, we are getting referrals, and getting fed even more! 

Anyways, my heart is just so full for the Tates Creek ward and area. I could not be more grateful that God took me out of my comfort zone and showed me the joy that comes from working hard and submitting my will to His. I have grown closer to the Savior more in these past months than ever. I know that I'm nothing without Him. I'm so grateful to be bound to Him through the covenants I have made. 

So I think it's only fitting if I end with a verse from Alma 26 

35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were sister missionaries that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.